I typically don't hit the "jackpot" when we go into thrift stores... usually there isn't much of any furniture, never any Target goods, and if I ever saw a large antique mirror or frame I might just faint. Point being - I don't have great luck (it's a fact, ask anyone that knows me) and I've accepted that and move on with my life. Recently we went to a thrift store and I found not one, but two trays! I think they were $2.05 for both trays and I couldn't wait to take them home and give them a new life.
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| Welcome - circa 1970's? |
I think it's safe to say that whomever painted this wonderful rendition of flowers doesn't appreciate it nor want it any longer so I decided that they will be going away. Instead of being covered in sand dust (like I was when we sanded the bathroom) I decided that I would use the deglosser that we used when we painted the guest bathroom cabinets.
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| You can see Fenway had his eye out on what I was doing - but didn't want to leave the air vent |
Since this little project was last minute I wanted to use what I had on hand at the house. A few months back Valspar had the free color sample giveaway and between T and I we received 3 samples. While I have been wanting to get navy on something (for the SR mostly) the octagon tray will probably be used in the DR(dining room) or GR(guest room) and there isn't a need for any dark colors in those rooms.
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| Beanstalk, First Kiss, and Classic Navy |
I forgot to take a before picture of the smaller rectangular tray. It was a a beat up wood tray, very similar to those expensive bamboo looking ones that you see everywhere these days. I thought about leaving it natural, but it just looked too beat up to be left natural. I knew I wanted this one to go on my nightstand to catch the hair ties, bobby pins, rings, and the random nail oil or lotion that gets left there on a weekly basis.
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| After one coat - it was going to take a couple |
I should also mention that the paint samples came with small disposable foam rollers and a tray! It was perfect for this project. Since the octagon tray had inner corners that I couldn't roll I just took one of my acrylic paint brushes and painted that after the rolled layers dried completely.
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| After two coats |
I completed three coats on each tray and let it dry a day before I took them on an adventure to the backyard where they received two coats of clear coat to make them shiny (and protect them). If I did it over again I might have taken the time to think about what I would be using the octagon tray for... (dur, Christmas decor) but since I didn't I think it was a great way to add a pop of pink to our house that wasn't expensive or permanent. If I hate it in a few months I can always paint it again.
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| Finished. |
I noticed that with the teal walls, yellow furniture, and touches of magenta in the room that it kinda reminds me of ink cartridges! I'm not sure that is a good or bad thing. The tassels and the tray total were less than $4 so when I go to change p the accent colors in this room there isn't much lost. I hope to bring more bright whites and character to this room since two large walls are completely bare.
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| Beanstalk was a little more muted than it looked on the computer screen. I was hoping for more Kelly green color. |
I'm happy with my $2.05 project and I need to find a home for the pink one. I also need to get on it already with the master bedroom since I haven't done much of anything in there so I can show you how all the little projects come together to complete a larger project.
